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MSNBC anchor Geoff Bennett choked up on air while reading the last words of Elijah McClain—the Black 23-year-old massage therapist from Aurora, Colorado who died after a violent stop by police in August 2019.
McClain was stopped while walking home because officers felt he looked suspicious. He broke no laws and was never arrested during the stop that killed him.
"His final words are haunting and tragic," @GeoffRBennett says. "If Elijah McClain isn't safe, who is?"pic.twitter.com/u40zd0M9gr— MSNBC (@MSNBC) 1630523036
Police officers confronted McClain claiming to be responding to a call from a concerned citizen who reported an unarmed man wearing a ski mask and looking "sketchy."
Three police officers held McClain in a carotid hold with his hands cuffed behind his back, and two paramedics later injected him with a lethal dose of ketamine to sedate him.
He went into cardiac arrest on the scene and was taken to the hospital where he was declared brain dead and subsequently taken off life support.
Nearly two years after the tragic incident, a Colorado grand jury indicted the three police officers and the two paramedics for their involvement in McClain's death.
During the MSNBC broadcast, Bennett became emotionally overwhelmed while discussing McClain's case with former federal prosecutor Paul Butler and criminal defense attorney David Henderson.
"This kid was 5'6" and weighed 140 pounds and they gave him enough sedative that you would give to someone who weighed 220 pounds," said Bennett of McClain.
"And his final words are haunting and tragic."
We feel the same way Geoff. It's horrible what they did to Elijah McClain. If a kind, gentle soul as he was wasn't safe, none of us are. Can't always report the news and not be impacted by it. This is painful. And you feel that pain. #ElijahMcClain— July Baby (@July Baby) 1630530962
Very touching. So tragic. Geoff, I was crying right along with you.— Beth Philley (@Beth Philley) 1630524017
Bennett took a long pause to regain his composure.
He then quoted McClain, whose alleged final words were:
"I can't breathe. I have my ID right here. My name is Elijah McClain. That's my house. I was just going home."
"I'm an introvert. I'm just different. That's all. I'm so sorry. I have no gun. I don't do that stuff. I don't do any fighting. Why are you attacking me?"
People online also expressed their indignation.
We\u2019re all tearing up Sir, emotional and upset. They murdered a harmless and gentle young soul for no damn reason but for the color of his skin.— wright-on it (@wright-on it) 1630525706
Elijah McClain's death was an abuse of power. The very second he was in custody and said, "I'm just different" officers and paramedics should have immediately helped him to his feet.— Michelle Patroni (@Michelle Patroni) 1630523941
Bennett addressed the two guests on the segment after reading the quote and asked:
"If Elijah McClain isn't safe, who is?"
People lauded the MSNBC anchor for having a genuinely human moment on the live broadcast.
I know presenters need to be dispassionate, but @GeoffRBennett's beautiful show of humanity was the most appropriate response and underscores both the immense tragedy and danger of a world where even Elijah McClain is not safe.— stefa (@stefa) 1630526098
On June 24, 2020, Colorado Governor Jared Polis announced his administration would reexamine McClain's case after a viral online petition demanded justice in the wake of the police killings of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.
Earlier on Wednesday, Attorney General Phil Weiser announced the three police officers and the two paramedics involved in the killing of McClain were handed a 32-count indictment—including charges of manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide.
"We're here today because Elijah McClain is not here and he should be," said Weiser.
"When he died he was only 23 years old. He had his whole life ahead of him and his family and his friends must now go on and must live without him."